Skydiver Felix Baumgartner fell faster than first thought

Austrian Felix Baumgartner fell even faster during his historic skydive last October than was originally thought. Subsequent analysis has revealed that the daredevil attained a speed of 1,357.6km/h (843.6mph) when he leapt from his stratospheric balloon. It is about 15km/h (10mph) above what was initially reported. Baumgartner's stated aim was to become the first person to break the sound barrier unaided by a vehicle. This he did. His final Mach number was 1.25. But although his vertical velocity has been revised upwards, the 43-year-old's jump altitude has been corrected downwards slightly. The additional analysis shows the Austrian stepped out of his special capsule at 38,969.4m (127,852.4ft), a reduction from the previous estimate of 39,045m (128,100ft).

 By Jonathan Amos / BBC/ more